Railway truck



July 14, 1936.

G. F. COUCH v RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Fe b'. 23, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ju'l 14, 1936.

G. F. COUCH RAILWAY TRUCK 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1932 Patented July 14, 1936 PATENT. OFF-ICE RAILWAY TRUCK Glenn F. Couch, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application February 23, 1932, Serial No. 594,632

24 Claims. (Cl. 267-3) This invention relatesto railway truclm and, more particularly, to the manner of supporting the bolsters from the side frames thereof.

I The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the provision of railway trucks in which the bolsters are supported from associated side frames by means of spring nests involving leaf or elliptic springs associated with coil or helical springs."

Another object of my invention is the provision of railway, trucks in which the bolsters thereof are supported at their ends by nests of springs involving coil and, elliptic springs, the springs of each nest being unsymmetrically arranged l5 and the spring arrangement at one end of the .bolster being opposite to that at the other so that the resultant torsional moments balance one another.

A further object of my invention is the pro- '20 vision of a railway truck in which the bolster is supported from the side frames by coil and elliptic or leaf springs, the leaf springs at one end of the bolster being disposed adjacent one side thereof and at the other end adjacent the 25 other side thereof, and the coil springs being arranged to underlie the remaining spring engaging areas of the bolster for equalizing unavoidable difference between the leaf and coil capacity and minimizing bolster rock.

so A still further object of my invention is the provision of a railway truck in which the bolster is supported from the side frames by coil and elliptic springs, said springs being so arranged that the lines joining corresponding springs at 35 opposite ends of the bolster are angularly disposed with respect to one another and pass through the vertical axis of the bolster or assooiated king pin.

Other objects and advantages of the invention 40 relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention: I

45 Figure 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a railway truck showing the spring plank and associated springs in plan.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a truck, such as shown in Fig. 1. p

50 Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view corresponding to Figure 1,.but showing'a modi- 55 fication.

Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views corresponding to Figure 4, but showing additional modifications.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, 5 and first considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, there are shown portions of a railway truck I involving a pair of side frames 2, each of which comprises a compression member 3, a tension mem- 10 her 4, and bolster guide columns or struts 5 spacing intermediate portions of said members 3 and 4 and spaced to leave a window or bolster opening 6 therebetween. The upper web I of each tension member 4 is increased in width beneath the window opening 6 to provide spring supporting portions of adequate area.

Extending between the side frames 2 and with its ends resting on the spring supporting portions 1 of the frames 2 is a spring plank 8. Said spring plank at each end receives a nest of springs 9, each nest, in the present embodiment, having a lower spring plate l0 and an upper spring plate Ii, between which plates are positioned a set of banded leaf springs forming an elliptic spring or spring set l2 and coil or helical springs l3. Supported by means of said springs is a bolster M, an end of which is supported on each nest 9.

Each spring plate is desirably T-shaped inplan, the stem of the T having a rectangular aperture for receiving the band of the elliptic spring, and the top part of the T having helical spring positioning portions, such as the customary upstanding spring-encircled annular flanges, shown most clearly in Fig. 1.

Each nest of springs 9, in the present embodiment, is formed unsymmetrical, that is, the coil springs l3, two double coils each being provided at each end of the bolster, are, at one end of the bolster, disposed adjacent one side thereof, and at the other end said coil springs are disposed adjacent the other side of said bolster. The elliptic springs 02 are alternately positioned, that is, at one end of the bolster they are disposed adjacent one side, that is, adjacent the opposite side from the coil springs, and at the other end of the bolster are disposed adjacent the other side thereof, that is, the side opposite that of the corresponding coil or helical springs.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the torsional moment due to the unavoidable diflerence between the elliptic and coil capacity at one end of the bolster is balanced by a corresponding but oppositely acting torsional moment at the opposite end of the bolster. This balancing is also due to the fact that the line joining the centers of pressure of the elliptic springs atopposite ends of the bolster passes through the vertical axis I6 of the bolster and associated king pin (not shown). It will also be seen that the lines I! and I8 joining the centers of pressure of the corresponding coil springs at opposite ends of the bolster and spring plank also pass through the vertical center line it of the bolster and intersect the diagonal line i5 at the same point, as shown most clearly by Figure 1;

Although, in the present embodiment of my invention, the springs are shown associated with plates l0 and II which hold the springs in proper relation with respect to one another, the bands of the leaf springs passing through generally rectangular apertures in said plates, and into upwardly opening pockets in the associated plank, so that they are supported at lower elevations than the coil springs, it will be understood that, if desired, I may omit the use oi such plates as well as the use of a spring plank, as will be apparent from considering the following embodiments of. my invention.

Referring now to Figure 4 showing another embodiment of my invention, there is diagrammatically shown a side frame 2, the spring supporting portion P of which has disposed thereon two elliptic or leaf spring sets 12 and three single coil helical springs 13*, said springs being arranged unsymmetrically, that is, the helical springs being disposed adjacent one guide column 5 and the elliptic springs being disposed with one adjacent theother guide column 5 and the other disposed between said first elliptic spring and the coil springs. The arrangement of the nest of springs supported by the other side frame (not shown) involves a transposition corresponding to the transposition between the nests of springs at opposite ends of .the bolster and spring plank shown in Figure 1, so that the lines or planes Joining the centers or vertical axes of pressure of the corresponding springs at opposite ends of the associated bolster (not shown) intersect at the same point or line which corresponds with the vertical axis of the bolster and associated king pin (not shown).

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 5, a spring arrangement is shown corresponding to that of Figure 4,

except that only one elliptic spring l2 is shown supported on the frame 2 and two double coil springs Iii are utilized adjacent the guide column 5 opposite to that adjacent which the elliptic spring l2 is positioned, the space between the coil and elliptic springs serving, in the present embodiment, for the support of two single coil springs l3 As in the preceding embodiments, the spring arrangement at the opposite end of the bolster (not shown) is transposed to effect the proper balancing or equalization previously described.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, one elliptic spring l2 is supported on each frame 2 and two single coil springs I3 are disposed at one side thereof, and a double coil spring or spring unit i3 is provided at the other side thereof. As in the preceding embodiment, the spring arrangement at the opposite end of the bolster (not shown) is, of course, transposed to provide a proper balancing. r

Referring now to the embodiment 'of my invention illustrated in Figure 7, a spring arrangeace-7,192

ment is there disclosed particularly adapted fora frame of smaller capacity than that of Figures 4, 5 and 6, that is, one corresponding with the frame of Figures 1, 2 and 3. The elliptic spring l2 in the present embodiment, is positioned approximately midway between the columns 5 and a double coil spring I3 is disposed on one side and a single coil spring l3 on the other side thereof. Because of the relatively close spacing of the guide columns 5 in the present embodiment, which prohibits the reception of standard helical bolster springs on either side of the elliptic spring on the longitudinal center line of the associated side frame, the spring supporting portion or upper web I of the tension member is extended outwardly at one side and inwardly at the other side, as shown, to provide the desired spring supporting area for said springs. The spring arrangement at the opposite end of the bolster (not shown) is, of course, transposed, as compared with the spring arrangement illustrated, so that the springs balance, as previously explained.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 8, a construction is there disclosed in which the frame 2 is of the double truss type, as shown in the Barrows Patent No. 1,652,808 of December 13, 1927, in which diagonal reinforcing or auxiliary truss members I9 cut across the lower corner of the bolster opening 6. The nest of springs in the present embodiment involves an elliptic spring I 2 and two single coil springs I 3, on one side, and a double coil spring I3 on the other side of said elliptic spring, as in the embodiment of Figure 6, the difference being that, in the present embodiment, the frame has a smaller window Opening 6 than that of Figure 6 and the spring seating portion 1 is, therefore, extended laterally to a greater extent, not only for this reason, but in order that the springs I 3 may not have to rest on the inclined portions of the auxiliary trusses I9. A further difference resides in the fact that, in the present embodimenlg'the plane joining the resultant axis of all the coil spring means l3 on one side of the elliptic spring I2", with that of all the coil spring means I3 on the other side, is diagonally disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elliptic spring l2", rather than normal thereto. As in the preceding embodiments, the spring arrangement used with the associated frame (not shown) is unsymmetrical, but transposed so as to balance the spring arrangement illustrated.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 9, a spring arrangement corresponding to that of Figure '7 is illustrated comprising an elliptic spring I2 and diagonally arranged helical springs I3 the difference, however, being that two single coil helical springs l3 are used rather than one single and one double coil,'and the frame 2 is of the double truss type, as that shown in Figure 8, rather than of the standard or conventional type shown in Figures 1 to 7, inclusive.

Although the embodiments of my invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 9, inclusive, are shown as not utilizing spring planks or spring plates, it will be understood that, if desired, such may be used, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. It will also be understood that the spring arrangements shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 may be employedwith a bolster without the use of a spring plank or spring plates like the arrangements illustrated in Figures 4 to 9, inclusive.

aoimoa From the foregoing disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that I have devised a railway truck involving side frames and associated spring nests supporting corresponding ends of a bolster, each nest being unsymmetrical to facilitate the assembling of the springs for providing the desired spring capacity, the unsymmetrical arrangement of one end of the bolster being balanced by a corresponding but inverse unsymmetrical arrangement at the opposite end, so that the bolster is properly equalized, unavoidable differences between the elliptic and coil capacity are accounted for, and bolster rock is minimized.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. In a railway truck, in combination, a pair of side frames each formed with compression and tension members spaced at intermediate portions by bolster guide columns spaced to leave a bolster opening therebetween, a spring plank with its ends received in said openings and supported on said tension members, an elliptic spring disposed on said plank at one side thereof adjacent one end and at the other side thereof adjacent the other end, and helical spring means supported by said plank adjacent each end on the side opposite to that of the corresponding elliptic spring for supporting the bolster load.

2. In a railway truck, in combination, a pair of side frames each having a bolster opening, a. bolster with an end received in each opening and a nest of springs interposed between each frame and the corresponding end ofsaid bolster, each of said nests involving an elliptic spring extending substantially in the direction of the length of the bolster, and coil spring means associated therewith, said coil spring means under one end of the bolster being unsymmetrically arranged and that under the other end being correspondingly unsymmetrically arranged so that the resultant torsional moment at one end of said bolster balances that at the other.

. 3. In a railway truck, in combination, a pair of side frames each having a bolster opening, a bolster with its ends extending into said openings and spring nests respectively interposed between the bolster and said frames, said nests involving corresponding leaf springs and corresponding coil springs, the lines respectively connecting the centers of pressure of the corresponding leaf springs and the centers of pressure of the corresponding coil springs forming oblique angles with each other and passing through the vertical center line of the bolster.

4; In a railway truck, in combination, a pair of side frames each having a bolster opening, a bolster. with an end received in each opening, and a nest of springs supporting each end of the bolster from said side frame, said nests of springs comprising coil and leaf springs, each nest having the springs therein arranged unsymmetrically and opposite to the springs in the other nest so that the torsional moments applied at opposite ends of the bolster by said springs are balanced.

5. A nest of springs for supporting an end of an associated bolster comprising an elliptic spring disposed with its longitudinal axis generally normal to the vertical longitudinal plane of an associated side frame, and coil spring means on each side thereof, the plane joining the resultant axis of all the coil spring nigans on one side with that carrying member, supporting means of different of all the coil spring means on the other side being diagonally disposed with respect to said longitudinal axis of the elliptic spring.

6. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame with a bolster opening, a bolster with an a end received in said opening, a spring plank disposed below said bolster and with an end receivedin said opening, a nest of springs resting on said plank for supporting said end of the bolster, said nest comprising leaf spring means disposed at 10 one side of, and directly supported on, said plank in an upwardly opening pocket therein, and coil spring means at the other side and supported above said plank.

7. In a railway truck, the combination of spaced 15 side frames having tension and compression members and integrally connecting column guides forming a window therewith, said tension member in said window having a spring seat portion, a load carrying member extending into said window and 20 having slidable cooperation with said column guides, resilient members disposed between said seat portion and said load carrying member, said resilient members including a leaf spring, and coil spring means disposed only on one side thereof, the leaf springs on opposite sides of said truck being aligned with the coil spring means.

8. In a railway truck, the combination of spaced side frames having tension and compression members and integrally connecting column guides forming a window therewith, said tension member in said window having a spring seat portion, a load carrying member extending into said window and having slidable cooperation with said column guides, resilient members disposed between said seat portion and said load carrying member, said resilient members including an elliptic spring, and coil spring means disposed only on one side thereof, a leaf spring on one side of said truck being aligned with the'coil spring means on the opposite side of the truck.

9. In a car truck, the combination of a bolster, coil and elliptic bolster supporting springs alternately arranged on opposite sides of the truck whereby; coil and elliptic springs on opposite sides of the truck are aligned.

10. In a car truck, the combination of a load carrying member supported on resilient means character alternately arranged on opposite sides of said truck, said means including resilient means and friction means, resilient means on one side of the truck being aligned with friction means on the other side of said truck.

13. In awar truck, the combination of a load carrying-member, supporting means of difierent character alternately arranged on opposite sides of said truck, said means including resilient means and resilient friction means, resilient means on one side of the truck being aligned with friction means on the other side of said truck.

14. In a car truck, the combinationof a load carrying member, supporting means of different v character alternately arranged on opposite sides of said truck, said means including coil springs and friction means, coil springs on one side of the truck being substantially aligned with friction means on the other side of said truck.

15. In a car truck, the combination of a load carrying member, supporting means of different character alternately arranged on opposite sides of said truck, said means including coil springs and resilient friction means, coil springs on one side of the truck being substantially aligned with friction means on the other side of said truck.

16. In a railway truck, the combination of spaced side frames having tension and compression members and integrally connecting column guides forming a window therewith, said tension member in said window having a spring seat portion, a load carrying member extending into said window and having slidable cooperation with said column guides, resilient members disposed between said seat portion and said load carrying member, said resilient members including an elliptic spring, and coil spring means disposed only on one side thereof, the elliptic springs on oppo site sides of said truck being aligned with the coil spring means.

17. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames, a load carrying member disposed between said side frames, spring nests resiliently supporting said loadcarrying member on said side frames, each of said nests including a coil and a leaf spring, a coil spring on one side of the truck being aligned with a leaf spring on the opposite side of the truck.

18. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames, a load carrying member disposed between said side frames, spring nests resiliently supporting said load carrying member on said side frames, each of said nests including springs of different character, a spring of one character on one side of the truck being aligned with a spring of a diflerent character on the opposite side of the truck.

19. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames, a load carrying member disposed between said side frames, a resilient nest supporting said load carrying member on said side frames, each of said nests including resilient means and resilient friction means, resilient means on one side of said truck being aligned with resilient friction means on the opposite side of the truck.

20. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames, a load carrying member disposed between said side frames, a resilient nest supporting said load carrying member on said side frames, each of said nests including resilient means of different character, resilient means of one character on one side of, the truck being aligned with resilient means of a different character on' the opposite side of the truck.

21. In a railway truck, in 'combination with spaced side frames, at load-carrying member extending between said frames, and a resilient nest supporting said load-carrying member on each frame, each nest including resilient means of two different characters, the resilient means of one character on one side ofthe truck being transposed as compared with that on the other side of the truck so that the torsional moment of the nest at one side of the truck is balanced against the torsional moment of the nest at the other side.

22. A nest of springs for supporting an end of an associated bolster comprising leaf spring means with its longitudinal axis generally normal to the vertical longitudinal plane of an associated side frame, and coil spring means on each side thereof, with the plane of the resulting axes of all of the coil spring means on one side and all of the coil spring means on the other side making an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring means.

23. A nest of springs comprising an elliptic spring and helical springs disposed between plates generally T-shaped in plan, each plate having a rectangular aperture in the stem of said T and a plurality of annular flanges extending toward the other plate, said elliptic spring having its bands received in said rectangular apertures and disposed with its vertical longitudinal plane generally perpendicular to the stems of said T- shaped plates, and said helical springs being disposed between said plates with their end portions encircling said flanges.

24. A spring plate for a nest of helical and elliptic springs comprising a piece of metal generally T-shaped in outline with a generally rectangular aperture through the stem of said T, the top portion of said T having annular flanges extending therefrom for centering associated elliptic springs.

GLENN F. COUCH. 

